Cutler: 'I have to just be patient' - The Orange Mane

Cito Pelon · 06-07-2008, 02:45 PM

I didn't see this posted . . . .

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...st-be-patient/

Cutler: 'I have to just be patient'
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Friday, June 6, 2008

Photo by David Zalubowski

Associated Press

Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler pulls on his helmet as he heads to the field to participate in the opening day of the team's mini-camp last month at Dove Valley.

Photo by Associated Press

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler warms up before taking part in quarterback camp last week at Dove Valley.
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Email this Print this Comments Change text size Subscribe to print edition iPod friendly Share this site Virtually every scouting report with Jay Cutler's name at the top begins with words devoted to his right arm.

A powerful tool in the football universe, the arm gives him the ability to make big spaces small, to construct big plays from small openings, to be what most everyone in the league wants behind center.

Ah, but there is the rub as Cutler heads into his third year in the league. That three will be a magic number, a charm or whatever else the third dot in the timeline of a career can be only when he does more with less.

"There's no doubt, that's right," Cutler said this week. "I have to just be patient, a lot more patient. I've learned every possession just counts for so much in this league. Those 2-yard gains, 3-yard gains, 4-yard gains add up. Make it second-and-short, third-and-short, that's huge.

"I know I can go down the field, but I have to learn to take what's given to me. Defenses can't take away everything, and if they take away the play down the field, I have to make enough of the other plays until they give it back. Then you take your shots."

So there it is: The virtue of patience is at the top of the docket for Cutler as the Broncos put together the offensive playbook for a season in which Jeremy Bates is the new quarterbacks coach and where history says coach Mike Shanahan will coax something big out of the quarterback.

"The third year is a big year for me, no doubt," Cutler said. "My first year was just kind of getting in there, getting my feet wet; last year (I) started the entire season and did some good things.

"But this year is about knowing what defenses are trying to do to us and finding the right spots to make the plays."

There is also the matter that Shanahan's last four full-time quarterbacks have all lifted their games in the third year in his offense.

* In 2005, Jake Plummer tallied his lowest interception total in any season in which he started at least 12 games - seven - and the Broncos went 13-3 on the way to the AFC Championship Game.

* In 2001, Brian Griese, in his third year as the Broncos starter, threw 23 touchdown passes, which still is his career high.

* In 1997, John Elway, in Shanahan's third season as Denver's head coach, threw a career-high 27 touchdown passes and the Broncos finished 13-3 on the way to the franchise's first Super Bowl win.

* And in 1994, Steve Young, in Shanahan's third season as 49ers offensive coordinator, completed more than 70 percent of his passes for 3,969 yards, 35 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. The 49ers, who scored 505 points in the regular season and put up a staggering 44, 38 and 49 points in postseason wins over Chicago, Dallas and San Diego, finished 13-3 and won Super Bowl XXIX.

Young's 112.8 passer rating that season was an NFL record until Peyton Manning broke it in 2004. Young's 70.28 completion percentage also is the third-highest, single-season total of all time and the highest since 1982, when the Bengals' Ken Anderson set the NFL record at 70.55.

"It's (Cutler's) third year in the National Football League, and I've said before I don't care if you're coaching or playing, it just takes time to feel comfortable with the system," Shanahan said. "I believe Jay has things in place to have a big year.

"I think the thing, and we've gone over this, we always emphasize for a guy who's got a great arm is you really have to know when to dump the ball off.

"Most guys want to dump the ball off all the time, just get their percentages up, but Jay isn't like that. It's a good problem that he always wants to go down the field, but we have to give him the confidence to dump the ball off and be ready when that play is there down the field. That's what we've seen on the film."

For Cutler, that means not only dealing with the revelation that he has Type I diabetes but also adapting on the field to Bates, in his first season as Cutler's go-to position coach, as well as to the perennially demanding Shanahan.

Shanahan's exacting standards have frazzled more than one quarterback over the years. Plummer and Shanahan had a working agreement at times that Plummer would deal with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak during games to keep Plummer on more of an even keel on the sideline.

Kubiak has said, "Jake is a fiery guy, and that led to some fiery exchanges."

Cutler said Shanahan, who has also overseen the draft and free agency work, has taken a low-key approach with the offense thus far in the offseason.

"Mike's kind of sat back and let me and Jeremy do our thing this camp," Cutler said. "I think he's just kind of feeling it out to see how we mesh. I think Mike just wants to see how we do right now, and he's giving Jeremy a little bit of freedom to just experiment, which is good.

"But this year there shouldn't be a lot of surprises for me. I've seen a lot of things. We'll do the work, and we have a lot of options on offense, so that means, hopefully, it adds up that I'm successful and we're successful."

THE POWER OF THREE

Even in three stints with the Broncos, as either an offensive coordinator or head coach, Mike Shanahan has seen quarterbacks in the third consecutive year lift their games. It will be Jay Cutler's third year in the Broncos offense this season.

Year Team Title Quarterback W-L Result

1986 Broncos Off. coordinator John Elway 11-5 Lost Super Bowl XXI

1991 Broncos Off. coordinator John Elway 12-4 Lost AFC title game

1994 49ers Off. coordinator Steve Young 13-3 Won Super Bowl

1997 Broncos Head coach John Elway 13-3 Won Super Bowl

2001 Broncos Head coach Brian Griese 8-8 Missed playoffs

2005 Broncos Head coach Jake Plummer 13-3 Lost AFC title game

CUTLER, SO FAR

Statistics in Jay Cutler's first two seasons as Broncos quarterback:

2006 Category 2007

81 Completions 297

137 Attempts 467

1,001 Yards 3,497

59.1 Percentage 63.6

9 Touchdowns 20

5 Interceptions 14

13 Sacked 27

88.5 Rating 88.1

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Denver needs to have an identity, and that has to come from the Offense. And ST's. Shanny knows O, I hope him and the rest of the boys can put a kickass one together.

Kaylore · 06-07-2008, 04:51 PM

Thanks for posting this. He missed many of his underneath stuff last year because he looked for the big play too much. How many balls were way down field into double coverage when the easy, though less sexy dump off was available? The good news you can't teach a QB to make the big throws down field but anyone can learn to check down and be safe.

Zealander · 06-07-2008, 05:49 PM

Nobody else is excited about this? These are wise words coming from our Quarterback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Thanks for posting this. He missed many of his underneath stuff last year because he looked for the big play too much. How many balls were way down field into double coverage when the easy, though less sexy dump off was available? The good news you can't teach a QB to make the big throws down field but anyone can learn to check down and be safe.

Your right on man. I saw a lot of times last year where Jay was staring Marshall down going deep and a receiver was crossing over the middle with nobody around. If Jay can learn to pick apart a defense, yards here, yards there... Then he can take that shot when the defense has to learn to respect his presence. This is the way Peyton Manning always dominates us. With Scheff, Stokley, Marshall and the X receiver we surely have the personnel to make this play possible.

nickademus · 06-07-2008, 08:43 PM

This is one of the reasons I think Stokely and Royal are going to be huge in our offence this year thoes quick hitters are going to be effin deadly. Marshall and anyone else who can really run after the catch should just tear $h!t up!!!!!

Cito Pelon · 06-07-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Thanks for posting this. He missed many of his underneath stuff last year because he looked for the big play too much. How many balls were way down field into double coverage when the easy, though less sexy dump off was available? The good news you can't teach a QB to make the big throws down field but anyone can learn to check down and be safe.

Yup. Dude said before the season even started in 2007 he was looking to go downfield a lot. He's learned a few things since then, eh? Dude sure learned a lot last year. I have high hopes for the O this year.

Zealander · 06-07-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superceriani

This is one of the reasons I think Stokely and Royal are going to be huge in our offence this year thoes quick hitters are going to be effin deadly. Marshall and anyone else who can really run after the catch should just tear $h!t up!!!!!

Exactly man... We have the big threat, and I expect Jackson to pick up the second starting position. Jackson has got great speed, and he'll be an effective #2. I would love to see some 4 wide out sets, Marshall, Jackson, Royal and Stokely... That is some real speed, somebody will be open.

Cito Pelon · 06-07-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zealander

Nobody else is excited about this? These are wise words coming from our Quarterback.

Your right on man. I saw a lot of times last year where Jay was staring Marshall down going deep and a receiver was crossing over the middle with nobody around. If Jay can learn to pick apart a defense, yards here, yards there... Then he can take that shot when the defense has to learn to respect his presence. This is the way Peyton Manning always dominates us. With Scheff, Stokley, Marshall and the X receiver we surely have the personnel to make this play possible.

That's a good start. If Denver can put together a good offensive unit this year, they have a good chance at winning the AFC West Title. I'd be real happy with that Title banner hanging at Mile High.

FireFly · 06-08-2008, 01:32 AM

I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he said something very similar in the last off season?

Lets hope that he makes good on it this year. I'm expecting good things from him this year if his supporting cast can keep up

NYBronco · 06-08-2008, 07:41 AM

Cutler needs help from the offensive line getting him just a little more time to scan the field and allowing his pass plays to develop.

06-07-2008, 02:45 PM	#1
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,194 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	Cutler: 'I have to just be patient' I didn't see this posted . . . . http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...st-be-patient/ Cutler: 'I have to just be patient' By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News Friday, June 6, 2008 Photo by David Zalubowski Associated Press Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler pulls on his helmet as he heads to the field to participate in the opening day of the team's mini-camp last month at Dove Valley. Photo by Associated Press Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler warms up before taking part in quarterback camp last week at Dove Valley. Related LinksSLIDE SHOW: Friday's Broncos minicamp Related StoriesKRIEGER: Open Door needs more messengers More Broncos/NFLKRIEGER: Open Door needs more messengers Raiders' McFadden inks 6-year contract Nalen undergoes knee surgery Story Tools Email this Print this Comments Change text size Subscribe to print edition iPod friendly Share this site Virtually every scouting report with Jay Cutler's name at the top begins with words devoted to his right arm. A powerful tool in the football universe, the arm gives him the ability to make big spaces small, to construct big plays from small openings, to be what most everyone in the league wants behind center. Ah, but there is the rub as Cutler heads into his third year in the league. That three will be a magic number, a charm or whatever else the third dot in the timeline of a career can be only when he does more with less. "There's no doubt, that's right," Cutler said this week. "I have to just be patient, a lot more patient. I've learned every possession just counts for so much in this league. Those 2-yard gains, 3-yard gains, 4-yard gains add up. Make it second-and-short, third-and-short, that's huge. "I know I can go down the field, but I have to learn to take what's given to me. Defenses can't take away everything, and if they take away the play down the field, I have to make enough of the other plays until they give it back. Then you take your shots." So there it is: The virtue of patience is at the top of the docket for Cutler as the Broncos put together the offensive playbook for a season in which Jeremy Bates is the new quarterbacks coach and where history says coach Mike Shanahan will coax something big out of the quarterback. "The third year is a big year for me, no doubt," Cutler said. "My first year was just kind of getting in there, getting my feet wet; last year (I) started the entire season and did some good things. "But this year is about knowing what defenses are trying to do to us and finding the right spots to make the plays." There is also the matter that Shanahan's last four full-time quarterbacks have all lifted their games in the third year in his offense. * In 2005, Jake Plummer tallied his lowest interception total in any season in which he started at least 12 games - seven - and the Broncos went 13-3 on the way to the AFC Championship Game. * In 2001, Brian Griese, in his third year as the Broncos starter, threw 23 touchdown passes, which still is his career high. * In 1997, John Elway, in Shanahan's third season as Denver's head coach, threw a career-high 27 touchdown passes and the Broncos finished 13-3 on the way to the franchise's first Super Bowl win. * And in 1994, Steve Young, in Shanahan's third season as 49ers offensive coordinator, completed more than 70 percent of his passes for 3,969 yards, 35 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. The 49ers, who scored 505 points in the regular season and put up a staggering 44, 38 and 49 points in postseason wins over Chicago, Dallas and San Diego, finished 13-3 and won Super Bowl XXIX. Young's 112.8 passer rating that season was an NFL record until Peyton Manning broke it in 2004. Young's 70.28 completion percentage also is the third-highest, single-season total of all time and the highest since 1982, when the Bengals' Ken Anderson set the NFL record at 70.55. "It's (Cutler's) third year in the National Football League, and I've said before I don't care if you're coaching or playing, it just takes time to feel comfortable with the system," Shanahan said. "I believe Jay has things in place to have a big year. "I think the thing, and we've gone over this, we always emphasize for a guy who's got a great arm is you really have to know when to dump the ball off. "Most guys want to dump the ball off all the time, just get their percentages up, but Jay isn't like that. It's a good problem that he always wants to go down the field, but we have to give him the confidence to dump the ball off and be ready when that play is there down the field. That's what we've seen on the film." For Cutler, that means not only dealing with the revelation that he has Type I diabetes but also adapting on the field to Bates, in his first season as Cutler's go-to position coach, as well as to the perennially demanding Shanahan. Shanahan's exacting standards have frazzled more than one quarterback over the years. Plummer and Shanahan had a working agreement at times that Plummer would deal with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak during games to keep Plummer on more of an even keel on the sideline. Kubiak has said, "Jake is a fiery guy, and that led to some fiery exchanges." Cutler said Shanahan, who has also overseen the draft and free agency work, has taken a low-key approach with the offense thus far in the offseason. "Mike's kind of sat back and let me and Jeremy do our thing this camp," Cutler said. "I think he's just kind of feeling it out to see how we mesh. I think Mike just wants to see how we do right now, and he's giving Jeremy a little bit of freedom to just experiment, which is good. "But this year there shouldn't be a lot of surprises for me. I've seen a lot of things. We'll do the work, and we have a lot of options on offense, so that means, hopefully, it adds up that I'm successful and we're successful." THE POWER OF THREE Even in three stints with the Broncos, as either an offensive coordinator or head coach, Mike Shanahan has seen quarterbacks in the third consecutive year lift their games. It will be Jay Cutler's third year in the Broncos offense this season. Year Team Title Quarterback W-L Result 1986 Broncos Off. coordinator John Elway 11-5 Lost Super Bowl XXI 1991 Broncos Off. coordinator John Elway 12-4 Lost AFC title game 1994 49ers Off. coordinator Steve Young 13-3 Won Super Bowl 1997 Broncos Head coach John Elway 13-3 Won Super Bowl 2001 Broncos Head coach Brian Griese 8-8 Missed playoffs 2005 Broncos Head coach Jake Plummer 13-3 Lost AFC title game CUTLER, SO FAR Statistics in Jay Cutler's first two seasons as Broncos quarterback: 2006 Category 2007 81 Completions 297 137 Attempts 467 1,001 Yards 3,497 59.1 Percentage 63.6 9 Touchdowns 20 5 Interceptions 14 13 Sacked 27 88.5 Rating 88.1 Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Denver needs to have an identity, and that has to come from the Offense. And ST's. Shanny knows O, I hope him and the rest of the boys can put a kickass one together.

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06-07-2008, 04:51 PM	#2
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,061 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Thanks for posting this. He missed many of his underneath stuff last year because he looked for the big play too much. How many balls were way down field into double coverage when the easy, though less sexy dump off was available? The good news you can't teach a QB to make the big throws down field but anyone can learn to check down and be safe.

06-07-2008, 08:43 PM	#4
nickademus Samurai of Smack Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,105 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	This is one of the reasons I think Stokely and Royal are going to be huge in our offence this year thoes quick hitters are going to be effin deadly. Marshall and anyone else who can really run after the catch should just tear $h!t up!!!!!

06-08-2008, 01:32 AM	#8
FireFly Ring of Famer The window is open! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,684	I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he said something very similar in the last off season? Lets hope that he makes good on it this year. I'm expecting good things from him this year if his supporting cast can keep up

06-08-2008, 07:41 AM	#9
NYBronco Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,994	Cutler needs help from the offensive line getting him just a little more time to scan the field and allowing his pass plays to develop.